WORLD'S AIR FORCES
Afghanistan
Afghan Republican Air Force (ARAF) Both
the ARAF and elements of the Soviet Air Force
are still engaged in attempting to subjugate the
Afghan freedom fighters, the Muhajidin. The
Muhajidin continue to resist and, despite some
Soviet troop reductions, the war seems set to
continue. ARAF raids on Muhajidin bases in
Pakistan have led to numerous aerial con
frontations in the border region, with several
Afghan aircraft shot down in 1987.
The ARAF is very much a Soviet satellite,
with large numbers of advisers attached to the
service, which operates under Soviet tactical
control. It is entirely Soviet equipped, and
losses are rapidly replaced from Soviet stocks.
The Muhajidin claimed the destruction of 44
Afghan and Soviet aircraft in July 1987 alone,
many by US supplied Stinger Sams.
The ARAF's combat element comprises three
squadrons of MiG-21F interceptors based at
Beagram, north of Kabul. Shindand is the home
of the remaining two Su-7BM ground attack
units, which operate alongside a squadron of
variable-geometry Su-20s. A number of 11-28
light bombers also survive, but rarely fly oper
ationally. Another ground-attack wing at
Mazar-i-Sharif uses MiG-17Fs and MiG-19s,
while flying training is undertaken at Sherpur.
Unconfirmed reports indicate up to three
squadrons of MiG-23s in ARAF markings at
Beagram.
The ARAF bases its Mi-8s and Mi-24s along
side large quantities of Soviet-operated helicop
ters of the same type, at various locations
throughout the country, including Faizabad and
Jurm. The ARAF transport fleet is based at
Kabul.
The Soviet occupation forces operate MiG-
21s, MiG-23/27s, and Su-17s for ground attack.
Operational trials have also been carried out in
Afghanistan with such types as the Su-24
Fencer, Su-25 Frogfoot and Mi-26 Halo heavy-
lift helicopter.
Type No Role
MiG-21 Fishbed
MiG-19 Farmer
MiG-17F Fresco
Su-7/20 Fitter
II-28 Beagle
MiG-15UTI Midget
L-39C Albatros
L-29 Delfin
Yak-11 Moose/Yak
An-26 Curl
An-24 Coke
An-12 Cub
11-14 Crate
11-18 Coot
AN-2 Colt
Mi-24 Hind
Mi-8 Hip
Mi-4 Hound
18 Max
40+
24
35 +
50+
25 +
15 +
24
24
15 +
15 +
1
6 +
12
2
8
30+
35 +
12 +
Albania
Int
FGA
FGA
FGA
Bomber/Train
Training
Train/COIN
Train/COIN
Training
Transport
VIP
Transport
Transport
VIP
FAC/Comms
Attack
Assault
Transport
Albanian People's Army Air Force This
insular Communist country has had no formal
relations with either East or West since break
ing off relations with the People's Republic of
China in 1978. Since the death in 1985 of
General Enver Hoxha, in power since 1944,
Albania has taken tentative steps away from
isolation, opening its borders with both Greece
and Jugoslavia.
Administered by the Army, most of the Air
Force's remaining equipment, including some
90 combat aircraft, was supplied by China.
Three interceptor squadrons are based at
Durres-Shijak and Kucove, while three ground-
attack units fly from Durres-Shijak and
Valona. A transport force includes about 20
fixed-wing aircraft and a similar quantity of
helicopters, and is also responsible for the
services of the national airline because there is
no civil aviation in Albania.
Type No Role
Shenyang F-7 (MiG-21)
Shenyang F-6 (MiG-19)
Shenyang F-4 (MiG-17)
Shenyang F-2 (MiG-15)
Shenyang FT-2 (MiG-15UTI)
Nanchang CJ-5 (Yak-18)
Yak-11 Moose
11-14M Crate
Li-2 (C-47 Dakota)
Y-5 (An-2)
Harbin Z-5 (Mi-4)
15 +
25 +
35 +
6 +
6+
12 +
6 +
3
6 +
10 +
20
Algeria
Int
Int
FGA
FGA
Training
Training
Training
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport
Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Jaza'eriya For
many years aid was received only from the
Soviet Union, but more recently the USA and
France have supplied limited amounts of equip
ment. Algeria covertly supports the Polisario
Front guerrilla movement in the Spanish
Sahara with occasional resupply flights.
The air arm's combat element consists of a
squadron of MiG-25s, delivered as long ago as
1979 and including a number of MiG-25R
reconnaissance aircraft, together with at least
three MiG-21 units assigned to air defence.
Several squadrons of MiG-23s, Su-7s, and Su-
20s are allocated to ground attack, while the
remaining MiG-17Fs are operated primarily in
the tactical training role, as are the MiG-15s.
Advanced and weapons training is carried out
on CM-170 Magisters which are overdue for
replacement, with both the BAe Hawk and
Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet under consid
eration. Primary and basic training is under
taken by nominally civil flying schools, the
course culminating with instruction on T-34C
Turbo-Mentors. A relatively large helicopter
fleet includes Mi-24 attack helicopters,
together with a variety of other Soviet and
western helicopters.
Type No Role
MiG-25/R/U Foxbat 30+ Int/Recce
MiF-23BM/MF/U Flogger 60+ FGA/Int
MiG-21 F/MF/bis/U Fishbed 90+ Int
MiG-17F Fresco 50+ Train/FGA
MiG-15/UTI Fagot/Midget 30+ Training
Su-20 Fitter 32 FGA
Su-7BM/U Fitter 20+ FGA
II-28 Beagle (Stored) 12 Bomber
CM-170 Magister 20+ Armed Train
An-12 6 Transport
C-130H/H-30 Hercules 10/7 Transport
F-27 Mk.400/600 2/1 Transport
11-14 Crate 4 Transport
(WFU?)
11-18 Coot 4 Transport
(WFU?)
Gulfstream III 3 VIP
Falcon 20 1 VIP
Super King Air 200T 2 Coast Patrol
Super King Air 200 6 Train
King Air A100 1 Calib
Queen Air B80 3 Liaison/Train
Commander 680FL 1 Survey
Mi-24 Hind 24+ Attack
Mi-8 Hip 12 Transport
Mi-6 Hook
Mi-4 Hound
SA.330 Puma
Alouette III
Hughes 269A
4
30 +
5
6
6
Transport
Transport
Transport
Liaison
Training
Angola
Force Aerea Populaire de Angola Angola's
Marxist Government receives aircraft and
equipment from the Soviet Union, and is assis
ted in the running of the FAPA by Cuban, East
German, and Soviet personnel. Limited
purchases of Western aircraft have included
two EMB-111A maritime patrol aircraft and a
Gulfstream III VIP aircraft in 1987.
Unita rebels continue to wage a guerrilla war
against the Government, with South African
support, and since the beginning of 1985 have
claimed the destruction of more than 90 FAPA
aircraft, including 26 MiG-21/23 fighters.
Conflicts between Angolan and South African
forces continue, while the USA began to supply
Unita with equipment in 1986.
MiG-21s and MiG-23s are flown predom
inantly by Cubans, and are based at Kuito,
Luena, Menongue, and Mocamedes, while a
single squadron of Angolan-crewed Su-22s
operates from Luanda alongside a number of
MiG-17Fs. Unconfirmed reports suggest that
the PC-7 fleet has been supplemented by four
PC-9s.
Helicopters, particularly gunships, form an
important part of the FAPA inventory, under
taking intensive anti-guerrilla operations,
although attrition has been high, with a third of
the fleet lost to Unita ground fire.
Type No Role
MiG-23 Flogger 28+ Int/Attack
MiG-21 MF/U Fishbed/Mongol 59+. Int/Training "
Su-22 Fitter 39+ Attack
MiG-17F Fresco 20+ Attack
MiG-15 UTI Midget 3 Training
PC-7 Turbo-Trainer 9 Train/Attack
Yak-11 Moose 6 Training
Cessna 172 3 Training
F-27 Maritime/EMB-111A 1/2 MR
An-26 Curl 22 Transport
C-47 Dakota 3 (WFU ?)
C-212 Aviocar 8 Transport
TU-134A Crusty 1 VIP
Yak-40 Codling VIP
Gulfstream III 1 VIP
Commander 690A 1 VIP
BN-2A Islander 13 Transport
An-2 Colt 10 Transport
PC-6B Turbo-Porter 4 Transport
Do-27 5 Liaison
Mi-25 Hind 30+ Attack
Mi-8/17Hip 10+/13 Trans/Attack
SA.365M Dauphin 2 4 Liaison/Attack
SA.342M Gazelle 6 Anti-armour
Alouette III 15/26 Liaison/Attack
SA.315BLama 2 SAR
Argentina
Fuerza Aerea Argentina Preparation of the
FAA's PERFA 2000 (Plan Esquematico Reest-
ructuracion Fuerza Aerea) plan to re-equip and
restructure the air force by the year 2000
progresses. However, with no formal end to
hostilities with Britain, Argentina is still
subject to some trade restrictions, particularly
with the USA, and these continue to hamper
attempts to update and upgrade the armed
forces. The only significant combat aircraft
acquired since 1982 are 22 refurbished Mirage
:w FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 28 November 1987